ONE lucky winner could be $4 million richer after a Mega Millions ticket has gone unclaimed.
The winner of a huge prize has yet to come forward to claim the cash.
The winning ticket was sold at Redner’s Market in Camden.[/caption]
The winning ticket was bought a popular grocery store in Delaware.
The ticket was sold for the draw held on August 20, 2024 at Redner’s Market in Camden.
The lucky ticket holder has until August 20, 2025 to claim their prize.
CLAIMING THE PRIZE
If your prize is $599 or less, take your ticket to any Delaware Lottery Retailer to claim your prize or you can claim your prize in person at the Delaware Lottery Office.
You can also mail your ticket(s) to the Delaware Lottery Office. Be sure to print your name and address clearly on the back of your ticket.
Fill out the claim form and make a copy of the ticket(s) and claim form (or take a clear photo of the front and back, using a smartphone) for your records.
To receive winnings by mail, send original ticket(s) and claim form in an envelope addressed to the address below.
Delaware Lottery
1575 McKee Road, Suite 102
Dover, DE 19904
If your prize is $2,500 or less, you can claim your prize at select Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
If your prize is $600 to $5,000, you can claim your prize during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday at any of these redemption centers.
If your prize is $5,001 or more, you can claim your prize at the Delaware Lottery Office any business day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All winning Delaware Lottery tickets are subject to Delaware Income Tax
To successfully claim a prize, winners need to provide:
- Their winning ticket
- A completed Winner Claim Form
- A valid government-issued ID
- A valid Social Security Number or FEIN
MEGA CHANGES
Recently Mega Millions has announced that a price of a ticket will more than double next year as a part of a overhaul.
Starting in April 2025, tickets will increase from $2 to $5, Mega Millions announced.
The increase will mark the second price adjustment since the lottery game launched in 2002, Mega Millions said.
Other changes to debut in the spring include no breakeven prizes.
Mega Millions said the overhauled game will result in jackpots that start larger, grow faster and are bigger more frequently, as well as better odds of winning the jackpot.
Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium said: “We are creating a game that both our existing players and people new to Mega Millions will love and get excited about playing.
“We expect more billion-dollar jackpots than ever before, meaning creating more billionaires and many more millionaires as the jackpots climb, plus this game will continue the important legacy of supporting great causes everywhere Mega Millions is played.”
Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?
Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?
The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.
Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.
Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.
Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.
Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you’ll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.
Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Experts have varying opinions on whether to take the lump sum or take the annuity.
